Father's day is coming up this weekend - and we'd bet good money that more than half of you haven't sorted anything out yet.
Falling on Sunday 19 June, if you've not got your act together yet then you might be starting to panic. Don't worry - we've got you sorted, or rather The Botanist has, as it's giving away unlimited pints of beer to dads celebrating this Sunday.
The Leeds restaurant is going all out for dads, acknowledging that they're often the most difficult people in our life to buy for. After all, what do you buy for the man who already has everything he wants?
Image: Wikimedia Commons
Endless beer seems to be the answer in 2022 - and we're absolutely here for it.
To treat your dad, grandad, or father figure to endless pints of Madri beer for free, you need to book in for brunch, lunch or dinner this Sunday 19 June, and order a dish each in order to get the deal.
If he's a traditionalist. you can't go wrong with getting stuck into on of The Botanist's sharing roasts.
With choices like roast sirloin, pot roast lamb, slow roast honey glazed pork belly, roast chicken or vegan celeriac, mushroom and pearl barley wellington - all served with giant Yorkshires, lashings of gravy and a board of sides - there's truly something for everyone here.
Alternatively, the restaurant has also just launched a new 'build it yourself' brunch menu with a whopping 90.000+ combinations - perfect for the fussy eaters in your life.
Image: The Botanist
Or, if you just fancy some straight-up pub grub, try the crispy chicken burger with cheddar cheese, pickles, ranch and buffalo gravy dip, steak, stout and stilton pie with mash, minted peas and gravy, or the famous hanging kebabs from the restaurant's main menu.
Children’s brunches and roasts are also available and live music will keep the family entertained all day.
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Georgina Pellant -
13th June 2022 
